AA.20
Encyclopedia
The AA.20 was a French
air-to-air missile
, developed by Nord Aviation
, and was one of the first such missiles adopted into services in Western Europe
. Production began at Chatillon, France in 1956. Approximately 6,000 missiles of the type were produced, remaining in service until 1960.
. Developed alongside the SS.10
anti-tank missile, it was designated the Type 5103. The project's goals were simple; the AA.20 was always regarded as a stepping stone to a more advanced missile, which would materialise as the R.530.
, using a similar system to that used by Nord's anti-tank missiles, with the missile being steered visually from the launching aircraft. Angled, fixed wings imparted a steady roll rate, while a gyroscope
provided information on the orientation of the missile to the control mechanism. At launch, a twin solid rocket booster fired to bring the missile up to speed, after which a single solid-fueled sustainer rocket maintaied speed following burnout of the booster. Four interrupter blades, placed around the sustainer motor's nozzle, provided steering, while a flare
mounted on the rear of the missile aided in visual tracking for guidance.
The AA.20's warhead was a 23 kilograms (50.7 lb) blast-fragmentation type, detonated by a proximity fuze
set to trigger the warhead at a distance of 15 metres (49.2 ft) from the target. The range of the 134 kilograms (295.4 lb) missile was approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi). The command guidance of the AA.20 allowed for it to be used in a secondary role as an air-to-surface missile
, although it also meant the missile could not be used at night or in bad weather.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
air-to-air missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
, developed by Nord Aviation
Nord Aviation
Nord-Aviation was a state-owned French aircraft manufacturer. It was created on October 1, 1954 upon the acquisition of SFECMAS by SNCAN...
, and was one of the first such missiles adopted into services in Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
. Production began at Chatillon, France in 1956. Approximately 6,000 missiles of the type were produced, remaining in service until 1960.
Development
The development of the AA.20 missile began in 1953, when the French government placed a contract with SFECMAS, subsequently merged into Nord AviationNord Aviation
Nord-Aviation was a state-owned French aircraft manufacturer. It was created on October 1, 1954 upon the acquisition of SFECMAS by SNCAN...
. Developed alongside the SS.10
SS.10
SS.10 is the designation of the Nord Aviation MCLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile designed by French engineer Jean Bastien-Thiry. In American service the missile was called the MGM-21A. The missile entered service in 1955 with the French army. It was used briefly by the US army in the early 1960s...
anti-tank missile, it was designated the Type 5103. The project's goals were simple; the AA.20 was always regarded as a stepping stone to a more advanced missile, which would materialise as the R.530.
Description
The AA.20 was command guidedCommand guided
Command guidance is a type of missile guidance in which a ground station or aircraft relay signals to a guided missile via radio and tell the missile where to steer in order to intercept its target. Additionally, it is possible to send a command to the missile to detonate, even if the missile...
, using a similar system to that used by Nord's anti-tank missiles, with the missile being steered visually from the launching aircraft. Angled, fixed wings imparted a steady roll rate, while a gyroscope
Gyroscope
A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. In essence, a mechanical gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation...
provided information on the orientation of the missile to the control mechanism. At launch, a twin solid rocket booster fired to bring the missile up to speed, after which a single solid-fueled sustainer rocket maintaied speed following burnout of the booster. Four interrupter blades, placed around the sustainer motor's nozzle, provided steering, while a flare
Flare
-In culture and the arts:*Flare , an acrobatic move employed in b-boying, commonly known as breakdance, and gymnastics*Flare , a female hero who is a member of the League of Champions...
mounted on the rear of the missile aided in visual tracking for guidance.
The AA.20's warhead was a 23 kilograms (50.7 lb) blast-fragmentation type, detonated by a proximity fuze
Proximity fuze
A proximity fuze is a fuze that is designed to detonate an explosive device automatically when the distance to target becomes smaller than a predetermined value or when the target passes through a given plane...
set to trigger the warhead at a distance of 15 metres (49.2 ft) from the target. The range of the 134 kilograms (295.4 lb) missile was approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi). The command guidance of the AA.20 allowed for it to be used in a secondary role as an air-to-surface missile
Air-to-surface missile
An air-to-surface missile is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft and strike ground targets on land, at sea, or both...
, although it also meant the missile could not be used at night or in bad weather.